Car passenger's poor decision hits home

When a car struck a house in East Memphis late Tuesday, the incident's outcome was a little different than normal.

The passenger got the ticket.

The driver -- a 9-year-old girl -- went to the hospital with minor injuries.

The Chevy Cavalier with the girl at the wheel, Jerry Oglesby in the front passenger's seat and an 8-year-old boy in the back lost control and struck the house at 2971 Semmes at about 10:30 p.m.

Police had no idea why Oglesby, 38, a friend of the children's mother, let the girl drive, but said alcohol wasn't a factor.

A 15-year-old boy in the house and the boy in the car also suffered minor injuries.

Oglesby, who was hospitalized in noncritical condition, was cited for allowing an unlicensed driver to drive, although Memphis police spokeswoman Det. Monique Martin said the consequences would have been much harsher had the injuries been worse.

"It was an outrageous decision," she said.

"In the country, people may learn to drive at a very early age, but not here in the city."